Review of Monster

Frighteningly addictive. "Monster" is a deep and meaningful psychological thriller one should at least watch/read once in his life. In this one, Urasawa allows us to explore the most classic theme in all medias: the duality of good and evil. The darkness and light that co-exist in each human being. As we follow the journey of Dr Tenma, mistakingly convincted for murder, and devoured by his own guilt for saving a kid ,Johan, who turned into the most deranged and manipulative psychopath, we get to know a plethora of characters along the way: each one getting a different backstory, and serving a different purpose, giving a mosthumane et realistic feeling to the story.

As we delve deeply in the psyche and the memories of the characters, we get to ask ourselves : who is the real monster ? Is it the loneliness and darkness that devours the heart of the abandoned kids ? Is it the one who choose to brainwash them ? Is it the mother who chooses to sacrifice one of her children ? Is it the one who can't feel compassion but only emptiness ?

And what makes a human 'exist' ? Is it his ability to feel ? Is it his memories ? Or the name he was given that makes him part of the world and be remembered?
In the end, Urasawa lets his readers decide what is the good answer: none and all of these.

To sum it up, except a few minor "flaws", quickly erased by the extraordinarily developed characters and the complex themes explored here, calling "Monster" a masterpiece is an understatement.